December, 2007 - Minnesota Nature Photography Club

From the President
As I am writing this, it is late November and still
no snow on the ground. I am one of those
photographers that really enjoy photographing in
the winter, but I like my images to show a good
old fashioned Minnesota winter. This of course
means; snow, ice, frost or anything that conveys
a winter message. But it is early yet and maybe
we will get lucky this year and have a couple of
feet of snow by Christmas.
Thanks to Dale Bohlke and Dave Vivich for
doing a great job of judging in November. And
speaking of judging our end of year judge will
be Stan Tekiela. I have known Stan for several
years; he is a naturalist, writer, author of several
nature books, and a professional photographer.
Also remember that in December right after the
End of Year judging, we will be having our
Holiday Party. So bring some goodies to share!
As of now I have scheduled a Board Meeting for
Monday night December 10 th , one of the items
on the agenda will be a microphone. As many of
you know the REI microphone did not work in
November. We will make a decision if the club
should purchase a microphone.
Happy Holidays
John Pennoyer
Field Notes
“Shooting in the Field”
By John Pennoyer
The temperature was in the teens and for early
November it certainly was much colder than
normal. I had been in my blind for about 2 to3
hours trying to capture an image of a huge
whitetail buck that had been hanging out in this
area. I had spotted him several times but so far
no images. The Whitetail rut was on and I was
not going to give up on photographing this
magnificent buck. In the still of the morning I
heard noise in the marsh and I could make out
two big bucks fighting. There was no chance for
photos because of the cattails and the position of
my blind. The battle did not last very long but to
my surprise both bucks came in my direction
and I was able to expose about 2 rolls of film.
I was so excited that instead of using my normal
mail order, I went right to a local outlet and had
my film processed. The next day I went to get
my processed film and they could not find one
of the rolls!! In over 25 years of shooting
thousands of rolls of film I have only had two
lost. This one and a mail order one. However I
do think that lost roll would have been one of
my best Trophy Whitetail Buck portraits!!
That certainly is one of the nice things about
shooting digital - no developing, no lost rolls as
our images are imbedded in the memory card
which is then loaded on our computers and we
are set to go. But wait a minute, what happens if
I lost the memory card, my portable storage
device crashes or is dropped. Like the old saying
---- does happen! A couple of years ago when I
was in Alaska photographing Bald Eagles a
workshop leader had put his photo pack down
on the beach and in his moving around getting
photos, the tide came in and his photo pack was
totally under water. His Portable Storage Device
(PSD) was in that photo bag with many Bald
Eagle images loaded. Every photographer
should always have more than one copy of their
images whether in the field or permanent files at
the home office.
So when shooting in the field, this is my process
of trying to reduce any chance of unfortunate
incidents and losing my valuable images. (Note:
I said reduce!) As soon as one of my compact

flash cards is filled, I install an empty card and
my filled card is put in the card holder. (The
filled card is put in backwards so as not to get
mixed up with empty cards which are installed
with the label up) In my photo pack I carry an
80GB Sanho Hyper-Drive PSD, the filled card is
downloaded to the Hyper-Drive either in the
field or motel room. If I am on an extended trip
the same card is then downloaded to my laptop
computer. (If I am at home the card is
downloaded to my desk top) It is then that I will
format my memory card, for it is now backed up
with two electronic copies. I will also then write
CD’s/DVD’s of those images. So I now have
two electronic copies and a hard copy written on
CD/DVD.
laptop. Also he told me a couple of days later
that his PSD still worked, along with his other
equipment. (That must say something about
Lowe-pro bags).
The whitetail attached with this article is one of
the truly magnificent bucks that I have ever
photographed. This image was on the roll that I
got back. So what makes my other image
better? The buck left and came back from the
other side so instead of being backlight I had
great front lighting with steam from his body
and great eye contact! My consolation from the
developer (won’t mention name, but I never
went back ever again) a free roll of Provia 100!
There are many different Portable Storage
Devices on the market, some with LCD viewing
screens, some without. My Hyper-drive is about
2 years old and does not have a viewing screen.
These PSD’s can cost anywhere form $150.00 to
$700.00 or more.
Some examples of PSD’s are Epson, Wolverine,
Hyper-drive, JoBo and many others. They come
in various hard drives, 40GB, 60GB, 80GB, and
120GB, depending on your shooting. My
caution is don’t short change yourself on
memory. Personally I would not consider one
under 80GB. Some are truly portable with
battery operation (my choice) some will need
USB connection from a laptop. I think all of
them will also connect to 110VAC. Due to the
fact that I now have a new desk top which is so
much faster, I will probably quit bringing my
laptop with me and will purchase another PSD,
this time with a viewing screen. I will still bring
my laptop on extended trips so I can write
images to CD/DVD.
If you are shooting digital, my advice is to
always have at least two copies of your images
on separate hard drives of some type. And also
write them on CD’s/DVD’s. That will give you
three copies of your images which will greatly
reduce the chance of losing all your images
when unfortunate things happen.
That workshop leader that had his bag under
“salt water” had his images backed up on his
Whitetail Buck
John Pennoyer
Note: My trophy whitetail photography is really
taking a hit. The regional park I used to go to in
the above mentioned episode is now a “GOLF
COURSE”! Good Shooting
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“On Safari”
(Continued from last month)
By Ron Winch
Our guide coaxes the Land Rover ever so close
to the bank and positions it broadside to the river
allowing each shooter the best possible view –
than we wait. Thousands of wildebeest crowd
the edge of the 20 foot bank. Below, zebras test
the water of the Mara River, but are hesitant to
take the final plunge.
Up top wildebeests are crowding back – making
way for a 6,000 pound hippo returning from
grazing and seeking the cool water where it will
spend the daylight hours. His balloon-like body
ambles along on short thin legs as he looks for a
pathway to the river. It is some sight to see this
primitive looking hippo plodding along, backed
by thousands of wildebeest and fore grounded
by zebras testing the water below the 20 foot
bank. Great photos of rarely seen animal
behavior.
A note to future safari-goers; if you go to the
Mara with aspirations of photographing a river
crossing be sure to stay somewhere in the central
Mara so when you approach the river you will
be on the river’s left bank (as the current flows
downstream). This assures you that you will see
the animals coming toward you – rather than
hundreds of rear-ends. The best light is from
first light till noon – especially if it is sunny.
One of the best crossings is river left across the
river from the Mara Sepena Lodge.
Long lenses (300mm to 500mm) nestled into
bean bags provides a stable platform to
photograph the plunging, wild-eyed animals
who are feverishly swimming, hoping not to
become a meal for a hungry croc. Shorter lenses
yield a panorama of the entire scene from the
plunge to the dripping exhausted animals
scurrying past your Land Rover. What a thrill!
Hope it can be yours someday.
Cruising the savanna on an afternoon game drive
we observed tupi, thomson’s gazelle, wildebeest,
warthogs and zebras. All presented wonderful
photo ops, but it was the zebras that really made
the Nikon’s motor drive sing. One aggressive
young stallion thought he was hot stuff and
wanted some of the actions. No young upstart
was going to intimidate the herd stallion. He
stood erect with head high, ears pointed and tail
arched in a display of dominance. “Hot Stuff”
was not intimidated – with teeth bared and ears
laid back, he charged into the leader. Up on
hind feet, bodies almost erect and front feet
slashing – each had their moment of glory as a
cloud of dust chased by a slight breeze drifted
toward the seemingly uncaring herd.
Meanwhile, as they moved, we moved with
them, always staying in good range for the
Nikon 200-400 zoom lens. Ouch, a sharp blow
to the shoulder caught “Hot Stuff” off balance
and down he went, only to quickly recover and
continue the battle. Finally after 7 or 8 minutes
the youngster was tiring. Laying his ears back
and open-mouthed chewing displayed
submission and he beat a hasty retreat. For us it
was a time to really be thankful for shooting
digital as changing film four or five times would
have interrupted the flow of the action.
The sun was racing for the western horizon as
Toni, with pocket binoculars, spotted two
bateleur eagles in a dead tree some 200 yards
out. We have photographed bateleur eagles on
every trip to Kenya, but never two perched side
by side in such sweet light with only a blue sky
behind. Needless to say, the Land Rover made
its way toward the eagles – stopping several
times to get insurance shots in case the birds
took flight. They didn’t and our final shots were
full frame bateleur eagles. The eye rings, lopes
and lower legs showed a brilliant red
complimented by the low sun. How many
photos can you take of two bateleur eagles?
Let’s put you in the same situation and you tell
me.
At lunch one day Joe suggested we all display
our favorite images. There were some fantastic
shots of birds, animals and landscapes. Joe’s
comment was “I’ve been here 32 times and after
only 8 days you folks have gotten shots that I’m
still dreaming of”.
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Masai Mara - sounds pretty hard to beat,
especially if you hook up with the right outfitter.
May your dreams get bigger and your trips more
exotic.
Ron & Toni
November Salon Results
Judges: Dale Bohlke and Dave Vichich
Score of 8
Alan Schulz
David Zosel
Dotti Lillestrand
Jim Terpstra
John Ringquist
Jon Wilbrecht
Kristin Holt
Lil Polley
Lyle Bergman
Mariann Cyr
Mary Kay Bertas
Mary Olson
Nadav Cassuto
Tom Samuelson
Tom Wilson
Vern Nelson
Albatross Colony (W)
Fishing Heron (W)
Cardinal Flower
Star Trails Circular
Mystic
Poppy
Hooded Merganser Hen (W)
Foxtail
Hyena Meal (W)
Elephant Seal (W)
Loveable
Reflections
GGO 1 (W)
Water Lily
Pretty Suzie (W)
Tieger Swallowtail Caterpiller
Location, Location, Location
By Don Nadreau
Locating the sun or moon is usually not very
difficult. However; there are times when it is
helpful to be able to predict with a great deal of
certainty the exact location. This is most helpful
to me when shooting on the north shore of Lake
Superior. The challenge with the north shore is
it runs from southwest to northeast. For some
reason I always think of it running south to north
and as a result the sunrise or moonrise is in a
different place than I think it should be.
The easiest tool I have found to aid in
determining the exact location for these events is
the US Naval Observatory website at
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.p
hp. At this site click on the “Data Services” line
at the left area on the webpage, then click on
”Altitude & Azimuth of Sun or Moon”. You
will be brought to a screen to fill out with you
location and date. As an example, I selected
Beaver Bay (near Split Rock Lighthouse) for the
date of 12/07/2007 for the sun and got these
results:
Altitude
Azimuth
(E of N)
Score of 9
Claire Dolan
Dave Ellenbecker
Jean McDonough
Mariann Cyr
Mary Kay Bertas
Matthew
Schillerberg
Score of 10
David Hoyt
Jean McDonough
Jeff Morgan
John Dykstra
Tom Samuelson
Tom Wilson
Romping Calves (W)
Turkey Tail
Male & Female Lion (W)
Scurvy Grass
Kanab, Utah
Autumn Hawk (W)
White-phase Redish Egret (W)
Two Zebrase Nose to Nose
(W)
Thrush (W)
Sun Rays
BWCA
Screaming Eagle
h m o o
06:30 -11.0 111.5
06:40 -9.4 113.2
06:50 -7.9 114.9
07:00 -6.4 116.7
07:10 -4.9 118.4
07:20 -3.4 120.2
07:30 -1.9 122.0
07:40 0.1 123.8
From this I know sunrise will be at 7:40 and
located at 123.8 degrees east of north.
I find this handy for pre-scouting a location
and set-up when I’m ready to shot.
There are more complicated sites and
software to accomplish this, but I like the
Navy site best. Good luck!!
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The View from Here
by Lawrence C. Duke
Photography Spoken Here
The Dust Bowl Days of long ago are back
and finding it's way to your Sensor.
For years dust found it's way on to sheet
film, I'll even bet it ended up on glass plates,
if your that old? It made its way on to slides
with no trouble, along with the occasional
fingerprint.
First it was the card board mount; it was
card board dust from the paper in the mount.
Then, somewhere in the 60's the plastic
mount was going to solve the dust problem,
but not the fingerprint part. With plastic
came a more exciting problem, if you were
that unlucky. They were the scratches like
railroad tracks, the whole length of the
frame. They came from the auto mounting
machines and the way the film was handled,
to get it into the mount, the fingerprints
came later with the sorting. The Dust would
never dare be in the camera, oh, an
occasional hair might get into the shutter
track when changing film and you would
see funny spots in the view finder, now and
then. But for the most part you could change
lenses as many times as you needed to. I
can't deny that it was a problem during the
time of film, but it sure was a heck of a lot
easier to keep clean. You just got out your
can of air and a brush or lens cloth, and
spent 5 minutes.
and my lenses, making very few lens
changes in the field. I've had to send the
bodies back to the manufactures, because I
didn't know how to clean, I mean really
clean, that sensor thing. The body was no
problem; wipe it down," no fingers on the
monitor ", get a Hoodman cover for the
LCD, so you can catch the Dust on the
monitor, and in general be careful of your
camera.
Age and wisdom, don't come easy. I've
been plagued with Dust, some times I feel
like I'm back in Arizona, just before a rain
storm. That's the age part, now for the
wisdom part. This last week, I let a friendly
Sales Associates, convince me that I could
learn to clean my own Sensors.
You don't get smarter as you get older. You
learn that some things are better left to
someone else. I now have about three hours
on the web learning how to use all the new
stuff. I also have some great images of a
bald sky, a blank wall and a bracket of
exposures. All have different arrangements
of Dust from; the sensor swabs, the electric
brush, the super air blower, and I think I saw
something jump on to the sensor from the
loupe.
Really, I just want to make beautiful photos,
that are free of all the above.
Now we are in a new era of the Dust Bowl
Days. It's those fun off color spots in your
skies, or the black blob on the flower petal
or someone's face, the curly gray thing,
looking like a vapor trail from a jet.
And now being a member of the Digital
world, I have a new dislike for Dust. I've
been super careful of my digital cameras,
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Nature Photo Times
Published Sept.-May by the
Minnesota Nature Photography Club
www.minnesotanature.org
FIRST CLASS MAIL
Editor: Don Nadreau, 763-377-4589,
don.nadreau@gmail.com
124 Ardmore Dr.
Golden Valley, MN 55422
President: John Pennoyer 763-416-4134
johnpennoyer@comcast.net
Vice Pres.: Rod Blesener 952.465.3420
rblesener@fishbowlsolutions.com
Treasurer: Jim Duncan 651-459-3558
Jduncan001@comcast.net
Secretary: Linda Nygren 651-778-0340
Lnygren@pol.net
Meetings are held on the third Wednesday
of the month, September through May
6:00 PM - Set-up and Social Time
6:30 PM - Announcements and Business
6:45 PM - Program
7:45 PM - Nature Salon (Competition and
Judge's Comments).
Meetings are held at:
REI
750 West American Blvd
Bloomington, MN 55420
December 19, 2007 Meeting
December Program:
End of Year competition results. Judging by
Stan Tekiela . He is a naturalist, writer,
author of several nature books, and a
professional photographer. We will also
have our annual Holiday Party, so remember
to bring an item to pass around.
Refreshment coordinator: Would someone be
willing to help coordinate refreshments for our
monthly meetings? If you are interested let John
Pennoyer know.
Field Trips: If you would be interested in leading
one or two field trips sometime in the future, I will
have a sign up sheet and just pick a month and type
of trip or location. We have not had field trips for the
last couple of years and I would like to get this
started again.
The field trip leader would not be expected to do any
type of instruction, but like all photographers try to
pick the optimum time of year, day etc to photograph
the location or subject.
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